Wellness, Auto-Immune Disease, Anti-Aging, Gut
Are You Absorbing Nutrients or Just Flushing Them Away?
Are you eating all the ‘right’ foods but still feeling bloated, sluggish, or low on energy?
The problem might not be what you’re eating—it could be what you’re absorbing!
It’s not enough to eat nutritious food. Your body has to break it down and absorb the nutrients to actually use them. And if your digestive system isn’t producing enough stomach acid, bile, or digestive enzymes, then all that healthy food… is just going to waste!
Good news: Today, I’m going to walk you through science-backed ways to optimize your digestion, so you can actually absorb the nutrients your body needs. And trust me, #3 is something almost everyone gets wrong!
You’re Not Just What You Eat—You’re What You Absorb
There’s a popular saying: “You are what you eat.”
But that’s not entirely true.
A better way to think about it is: “You are what you absorb.”
Without the right digestive fluids—including saliva, hydrochloric acid (HCl), bile, and digestive enzymes—your body cannot properly break down and absorb nutrients. That means even if you eat the healthiest diet, your cells could still be starving!
Signs You’re Not Absorbing Nutrients Properly
🔹Bloating, abdominal pain, or excessive gas (like flatulence & belching)
🔹Nausea, loose stools, or diarrhea
🔹Acid reflux or heartburn
🔹Undigested food in your stool
🔹Oily or greasy stools (a sign of fat malabsorption)
🔹 Chronic fatigue, pain, or brain fog
If any of these sound familiar, your digestion needs extra support!
How to Optimize Your Digestion (So You Absorb More Nutrients!)
1. Chew Your Food—Yes, REALLY Chew It
One of my mentors, Dr. Ricky Brar, always says:
🗣️ “Drink your solids and chew your liquids.”
That means:
✅ Chew solid food until it’s liquefied before swallowing—this mixes it with salivary enzymes that start breaking down food before it even reaches your stomach!
✅ When drinking smoothies, shakes, or other liquids; take the time to “chew” them briefly to activate digestive enzymes in your saliva.
Not chewing enough? Your stomach has to work harder, which can lead to bloating, sluggish digestion, and even nutrient deficiencies.
2. Boost Stomach Acid (HCl) Production
If you have low stomach acid, digestion suffers from the start.
Here’s how to naturally boost HCl:
✔ Drink diluted lemon water or apple cider vinegar (ACV) 20–30 minutes before meals. (Tip: Use a straw to protect your teeth!)
✔ Reduce stress to stay in a “rest and digest” state.
✔ Avoid proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) unless medically necessary—these meds destroy stomach acid over time.
3. Reduce Stress Before Eating (This One’s HUGE!)
Digestion works best when your body is relaxed (parasympathetic state).
If you eat while stressed, blood flow is diverted away from digestion, making it harder to break down food.
How to activate "rest & digest" mode before eating:
✔ Be mindful—take a deep breath and focus on your meal.
✔ Give thanks—express gratitude or say a prayer before eating.
✔ Breathe deeply—a few slow breaths can lower stress hormones.
✔ Minimize distractions—avoid scrolling your phone or watching stressful news while eating.
4. Support Bile Flow (For Fat Digestion & Detoxification)
Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It’s essential for digesting fats and flushing out toxins.
How to improve bile flow:
✔ Eat bitter foods like dandelion greens, arugula, turmeric, ginger, and artichoke leaf.
✔ Drink clean, filtered, or distilled water.
✔ Avoid food toxins—stick to organic, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
Best Foods for Digestive Support
1️⃣ Bitter Foods & Herbs (Stimulate Digestive Juices)
✔ Lemon & Apple Cider Vinegar → Stimulate stomach acid, bile, and digestive enzymes.
✔ Dandelion Greens & Arugula → Help bile flow and digestion.
✔ Gentian Root & Artichoke Extract → Encourage enzyme secretion.
2️⃣ Healthy Fats (Support Fat Digestion & Lipase Production)
✔ Avocado → Provides healthy fats that stimulate lipase.
✔ Olive Oil & Coconut Oil → Triggers bile and enzyme release.
✔ Nuts & Seeds (In Moderation) → Encourage pancreatic enzyme activity.
3️⃣ Enzyme-Rich Foods (Help Breakdown Nutrients)
✔ Pineapple (Bromelain) → Breaks down proteins.
✔ Papaya (Papain) → Helps digest proteins.
✔ Mango (Amylases) → Aids carbohydrate digestion.
✔ Kiwi (Actinidin) → Supports protein digestion.
✔ Bananas (Amylase & Maltase) → Assist carbohydrate breakdown.
4️⃣ Fermented Foods (Promote Gut Health & Enzyme Efficiency)
✔ Kefir & Yogurt (Lactase) → Help digest lactose.
✔ Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Miso → Support gut bacteria and enzyme production.
5️⃣ Bone Broth & Collagen (Heal Gut Lining & Reduce Inflammation)
✔ Rich in gelatin, glycine, proline, and glutamine—these heal the gut lining and support pancreas function.
Simple Steps to Improve Digestion
✔ Eat bitter foods before meals to stimulate digestive juices.
✔ Chew your food properly (seriously, it matters!).
✔ Stay hydrated—but avoid drinking too much water during meals.
✔ Reduce processed foods, excess sugar, and alcohol.
✔ Minimize stress before eating to stay in a “rest and digest” state.
If you struggle with chronic digestive issues, a high-quality digestive enzyme supplement (lipase, amylase, and protease) may help.
Why This Matters for Your Gut Health 🦠
Your gut microbiome is your body’s command center. It impacts everything from digestion to immune function, mental clarity, and energy levels.
When toxins like glyphosate disrupt your microbiome, it can lead to a cascade of health problems—not just in your gut, but system-wide.
The Good News? 🎉
Once you start reducing your exposure, your body can begin to heal. Your gut is incredibly resilient, but it needs the right environment to thrive.
📌 If you implement even a few of these strategies, you’ll likely notice an improvement in your digestion, energy, and overall health!
👉 Next Up: In my next article, we learn The 5 Hidden Foods Wrecking Your Gut Even If You Think You Eat Healthy
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Disclaimer:
The information provided is for general knowledge and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. All viewers should consult their healthcare provider before starting any medical program or treatment. Any action you take upon the information that you find within this content is strictly at your own risk. Neither Dr. Krystal Carey nor Jackpot Wellness will be liable for any damages or losses in connection with the content on this YouTube Channel.
References and Resources:
HCL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4061354
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279304
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7238915 - Betaine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507793
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9062108
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5615773
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29939570
Bile:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6301937
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8515273
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17298762
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4446506
Digestive enzymes:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4923703/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555926/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28727474
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/natural-digestive-enzymes#TOC_TITLE_HDR_13
Proton Pump Inhibitors:
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